3 Tips for Buying Healthy at the Grocery Store

Grocery store shopping can feel intimidating if you are beginning a new diet, weight loss plan, or adopting a healthier way of eating. Here are a few tips to help get you through this transition:

Tip #1 Stick to your list

The best way to grocery shop is to come prepared. Making a list of the ingredients and items you need beforehand will help you avoid temptation while cruising through the aisles. If you feel tempted

to buy the snacks you usually go for, remind yourself that way of eating no longer aligns with your health goals. You are making positive changes to feel better about yourself and your body!

Tip #2 Read the Nutrition Labels

It's important to get comfortable understanding nutrition labels.

Often times a food item will say 200 calories, make sure to check the serving size. That protein cookie may be 200 calories per 1/2 serving. Doubling the amount that you expected with one sneaky trick and if you don't know what the ingredients in your food are, chances are that your body won't know either. Try and stick to food items that have 10 ingredients listed or less. The longer the list, the more chemicals and toxins you are putting in your body.

Tip #3 Buy Organic

It's important to buy organic food as often as you can. Foods that are sold in grocery stores are sprayed with chemicals and pesticides that lead to disease and harm our bodies. The easiest way to know if you should buy organic is to ask if you will be eating the skin/peel. For example, it's okay not to buy an organic banana because you won't eat the peel. However, stick to organic lettuce and greens that are grown in soil and sprayed with fertilizers to avoid the potential harmful effects of pesticides in your food.